TThe Ashram offers a high quality Yoga Teacher Training Course over a two year period. It’s purpose is twofold:

• To provide a professional, comprehensive and quality training in all aspects of Yoga teaching.
• To enable students to develop their own sadhana (personal yoga practise) in a systematic and guided way

The course aims to provide a high standard of practical and professional Yoga teacher training whilst also integrating the profound Spiritual practices and development that lie at the heart of Yoga. The emphasis will be on awakening the faculties of each student, thus developing the capacity to transmit Yoga to others on a profound level.

There is a new course starting this Summer. Please refer to the general course prospectusand Information regarding courses dates for more details.

Professional Training: The ashram is an Associated Training Organisation of the British Wheel of Yoga (BWY), which means that graduates will be recognised by both the Ashram and the BWY, and be able to teach Yoga throughout the UK and many European countries.

Summary of Course Syllabus: It will include:

• In-depth tuition and practice in Hatha Yoga – including Asana (postures), Pranayama, Mudras, Bandhas and Shat Karmas (cleansing practices).
• A comprehensive training in Meditation and Yoga Nidra.
• Explanation and practice of core Mantras.
• Instruction in the path of Gyana Yoga, including the study of classical yogic texts, such as Patanjali Yoga Sutra, the Bhagavad Gita and key Upanishads, together with core precepts and philosophy.
• Experience of daily Ashram life including the practices of Karma Yoga, periods of silence, morning chanting and satsang (questions & answers).
• Introduction to Bhakti Yoga through lectures, shared interaction and devotional singing.
• Comprehensive professional teaching skills, such as class planning and preparation, student safety and business skills.

Tutor team: the course offers an experienced team of five tutors, headed by Swami Nishchalananda, the course’s Spiritual director. Swamiji is well known internationally throughout the yoga world and he has over 37 years experience of teaching yoga and training yoga teachers. Swami Krishnapremananda will also play a major role in the day to day running of the course, sharing the experiences, knowledge and practical know-how that he has imbibed from Swamiji and other teachers over the past 14 years or so. Subhra, the current ashram manager, will add her unique skills and understanding in the teaching of asana. In addition, we are fortunate to be able to welcome back both Tara Rupa (Heather Donovan) and Hridaya Purna (Monica Douglas-Clark) onto the teaching faculty. Both these teachers have a very strong heart-inspired connection with the ashram. They will offer their considerable expertise to complete an excellent tutor team.

Venue: the course takes place within the focused energy and peaceful natural surroundings of the ashram. For the past 25 years, the ashram has been dedicated to helping people find a deeper meaning and fulfilment in life through the systematic practices and profound understanding of Yoga. It encourages us to learn how to live yoga in and through each aspect of our daily life, thereby helping us to live more harmoniously and wisely with ourselves and with others. Whilst here, you are immersed in the practices and attitudes of yoga, from the moment you enter the front gate, to the time you make your departure.

Purpose: the course will give you the clear guidance and support to allow you to progressively deepen your Yoga practice and understanding. At the same time, it will give you the professional skills, practical knowledge and first hand experience to enable you to become a quality Yoga Teacher. The emphasis will be on awakening the faculties and potential of each student.
In these changing and uncertain times, the wisdom and practical tools of yoga are needed more than ever. There is, no doubt, much suffering, confusion and misguided understanding evident in the world around us. The course will aim to develop the practical skills, inner attitudes and resources, and mature understanding that can help to carry the light and strength of Yoga out into the world, thereby helping to bring about a better tomorrow.
Feel free to contact the ashram if further details are required. If you are new to the ashram, we would recommend a visit before committing to the course. This will allow to experience at first hand the energies, teachings and structure of the ashram environment.

Costs: kindly contact the ashram office for details of the course costs.

Applications: If you wish to register your interest in the next course, starting in 2012, kindly contact Krishnapremananda at the Ashram.

Related article: The Benefits of Teaching Yoga from Swami Nishchalananda.

Quotations from previous teacher training course students:

“Overall I have thoroughly enjoyed the course and found the course work to be informative and helpful I now feel confident in my teaching practice. My personal experience of the course has been very enlightening... I feel like I have done a lot of growing over the past two years and feel inspired to continue my progression on my journey along the yoga path. Thank you to all involved for their love and support and thank you for the opportunity to participate on this course. Love light and happiness”.

”This course has surpassed my expectations... The Ashram will always be in my heart... One of the biggest things I have appreciated as well as the care and compassion shown to me by all”.

”I embarked on this course expecting it to be tough, challenging and transformative and it has been and some. Of all the schools/courses I investigated, Mandala Yoga Ashram was the one which had the strongest pull particularly because of the attention and focus given to working from the heart. I leave here feeling emboldened to go out into the world to teach yoga, whilst deepening my own practice, and intend to return whenever I can for further work”.

”Altogether a really wonderful course and I am very very grateful and happy to have had a place here”.

”I loved the course and the Ashram. Thank you! I now have a place in Europe where I can come and relate to!”

”Love and thanks for all you have shared with us. This time rests deep in my heart”.